Cardinals have unanswered questions this off-season

by Kent Somers - Jan. 18, 2010 05:12 PMThe Arizona Republic

The NFL season ends pleasantly for only one of 32 teams. Everyone else stuffs their locker contents into plastic bags instead of using plastic to protect their belongings from being splashed by championship champagne.

The Cardinals broke out the Hefty bags Sunday, the day after losing to the Saints 45-14 in an NFC divisional playoff game. Left behind, however, are many questions to be answered this off-season.

Here are a few:

1. WWKD? What will Kurt do?

The most important question of the off-season likely will be answered first. Quarterback Kurt Warner is contemplating retirement, and is expected to make a decision within a few weeks.

He vowed not to drag out the process (like a certain other old quarterback has). According to some reports, Warner will retire, unless he changes his mind.

And I will buy 1,000 Cardinals fans dinner tomorrow. Unless, you know, I change my mind.

Maybe the concussion Warner suffered at mid-season has him worried about his future health. Or maybe he will return because he felt remarkably good at season's end.

Maybe he'll retire because he doesn't need the money. Maybe he'll continue playing because there is $11.5 million on the table.

Maybe his family, including wife Brenda, will push retirement. Maybe his family, including wife Brenda, will push him to follow his heart, no matter what it tells him

The thing is, there are good reasons for Warner to retire. And good reasons for him to play.

If Warner retires, we will see what a good quarterback Matt Leinart is. Unless, of course, he fails.

2. Will Boldin be traded?

This saga is entering its third year, and it jumped the shark about two years ago.

Receiver Anquan Boldin is entering the last year of a contract he despises. He's wanted out of Arizona for some time, although he stayed quiet in 2009, for the most part.

If the Cardinals have no intention of extending his contract, which is the way it appears, now is the time to trade him. They've proven they can win without him.

Or, if Warner commits to returning, maybe the Cardinals commit to keeping Boldin one more season, even if it produces that infamous scowl on the receiver's face.

3. Who cashes in?

Defensive end Darnell Dockett has two years remaining on his contract. Free safety Antrel Rolle's deal needs to be re-worked. Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby will be an unrestricted free agent, as well as kicker Neil Rackers, left tackle Mike Gandy and perhaps right guard Deuce Lutui, among others.

Complicating matters are the ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement and the prospect of a season with no salary cap.

Cardinals management types always speak of maintaining the team's core of important players. But what players make up that core, and at what point do those become too expensive to keep?

It's easy to say the club shouldn't overpay to keep Dansby, Rolle or Gandy. But who replaces them?

There is no heir apparent to Dansby. Safety Rashad Johnson, drafted in the third round last year, doesn't look ready to replace Rolle.

Coaches think they can move Levi Brown from right tackle to left and put Brandon Keith on the right side. But it's an unproven theory.

On Sunday, Dockett said the team needs to improve its depth, hinting strongly that the club needs to spend money to do that. Good idea, but the team spent up to the salary cap last year.

Is Dockett willing to take less on a long-term deal in order to pay for, say, a better backup cornerback?

4. Can weaknesses be addressed?

The Cardinals need an edge pass rusher, linebackers, at least one cornerback, maybe a left offensive tackle, and perhaps a quarterback.

That's a lot to ask out of one off-season, so priorities must be set.

Linebacker/pass rusher should be up first. The Cardinals drafted two of them last year, Cody Brown and Will Davis, so it's too soon to tell what kind of player either will be. They are also high on inside linebacker Reggie Walker and outside linebacker Mark Washington, who was on the practice squad late in the season.

But the club desperately needs an elite pass rusher, someone that will keep offensive coordinators up at night.

5. Can Ken Whisenhunt keep his staff together?

The contracts of a handful of assistants are ending, and team President Michael Bidwill tried to get some to sign new two-year deals. Only one problem: the Cardinals didn't spell out how much they would pay should there be a work stoppage in 2011.

So some members of the staff remain unsigned, including strength coach John Lott, who has become a guru to many of the players.

If the Cardinals want to send a bad message to players and fans, they will allow Lott and others to depart. To borrow a phrase from Lott, who borrowed it from "Cool Hand Luke," the Cardinals need to get their minds right.

6. Will Whisenhunt receive an extension?

Whisenhunt has two years remaining on a contract that pays him about $2.5 million a year.

He isn't griping. In fact, he won't say much about it all. But good organizations are proactive in all things, especially when it comes to keeping talented people.